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Greenway, Irvin preach good grades

Minnesota Viking linebacker and Mount Vernon native Chad Greenway leads a group of kids in a cheer during the Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends Football Camp at Kirkeby-Over Stadium in Sioux Falls. (Eric Mayer/Republic)

SIOUX FALLS—Football and learning go hand in hand according to Michael Irvin and Chad Greenway.

Both Irvin, a former NFL star with the Dallas Cowboys, and Greenway, current Minnesota Viking linebacker and Mount Vernon native, preached the importance of school work at the Hy-Vee/Sanford Legends football clinic at Kirkeby-Over Stadium on Friday in Sioux Falls.

"Before I ever played, did you know the Cowboys checked on my grades?" Irvin told over 300 kids at the clinic. "Make sure you focus on your school work and listen to your parents."

Greenway echoed many of the same points Irvin made while addressing the kids.

"Make sure you make that first and foremost the most important part of your life," Greenway said about getting good grades.

The former Iowa Hawkeye and Miami Hurricane explained the importance of working hard both on the football field and off it.

Greenway explained how the game of football can prepare young athletes for life by learning how to work well with others.

"This is the ultimate team game," Greenway said. "It's a game you can't win by yourself."

Irvin, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 as a wide receiver, helped organize and participate in catching drills throughout the clinic. Augustana College football players also helped organize and run the two-hour clinic.

Greenway led a linebacker drill that focused on agility, but said he enjoys coming to the Sioux Falls-based camp every year.

"Every year I come back to this clinic there is more and more faces," Greenway said. "This is such a great opportunity for you guys to learn about the game."

Greenway thanked Irvin for his help in running the clinic and said he plans to work on catching up on the number of Super Bowl wins Irvin has in his career.

"He's got three Super Bowl rings," Greenway said. "I have zero, so what do you think the Vikings should do this year?"

Greenway was unavailable for an interview despite attempts by The Daily Republic.